Community Life Church Gulf Breeze, Florida

In week two of the series “When we Pray” we will take a look at the Lord’s Prayer as it is found in the Gospel according to Matthew. Jesus provides a framework for his disciples on how to pray. This framework not only orients our hearts toward our heavenly father but also toward the community we belong to as Christ followers. We will explore a practical application of the Lord’s Prayer to one another as we participate in the body of Christ.

In week two of the series “When we Pray” we will take a look at the Lord’s Prayer as it is found in the Gospel according to Matthew. Jesus provides a framework for his disciples on how to pray. This framework not only orients our hearts toward our heavenly father but also toward the community we belong to as Christ followers. We will explore a practical application of the Lord’s Prayer to one another as we participate in the body of Christ.

Have you ever considered why Jesus taught us to pray the way he did? In the first week of When You Pray we will explore Luke 11 and dive into the heart of Jesus’ lesson on prayer given to his disciples. We will discuss the importance of how we orient our hearts on our faith journey, ensuring our spiritual rhythms do not become empty repetition, wrestle with what role persistence has in our pursuit of God, and consider the relationship God has invited us to participate in.

Have you ever considered why Jesus taught us to pray the way he did? In the first week of When You Pray we will explore Luke 11 and dive into the heart of Jesus’ lesson on prayer given to his disciples. We will discuss the importance of how we orient our hearts on our faith journey, ensuring our spiritual rhythms do not become empty repetition, wrestle with what role persistence has in our pursuit of God, and consider the relationship God has invited us to participate in.

As we close out the Speak Life sermon series, we turn our hearts to Ezekiel 37. It is easy to mistakenly think that our ability to speak life is derived from ourselves. If we truly believe that Jesus is the author of life, then we must know that our capacity to Speak Life is derived from our obedience to say the words that God gives us to speak. God has Ezekiel survey a valley of dry bones and asks one simple question: Can these bones come to life? God’s question and Ezekiel’s response reveal the true source of life as found only in God. As we study this scripture, I pray that we focus not on the mere nature of Speaking but rather on Life.

In our study this week, we will focus on the transition of power from Moses to Joshua. What does it mean to Speak Life in crucial moments like this one? Our text takes us through Deuteronomy 31:1-8 and Joshua 1:1-9. The encouragement to be strong and courageous permeates the entire text. As we consider this encouragement, we must realize that in order to truly be strong and courageous we must anchor out strength and courage in the Lord. Speaking Life is not just being positive, it must be connected to the heart and nature of God. Moses is clear to Speak Life while reminding Joshua of the importance of allowing God to be the constant in the life of Israel. It seems that we should do the same.

In our study this week, we will focus on the transition of power from Moses to Joshua. What does it mean to Speak Life in crucial moments like this one? Our text takes us through Deuteronomy 31:1-8 and Joshua 1:1-9. The encouragement to be strong and courageous permeates the entire text. As we consider this encouragement, we must realize that in order to truly be strong and courageous we must anchor out strength and courage in the Lord. Speaking Life is not just being positive, it must be connected to the heart and nature of God. Moses is clear to Speak Life while reminding Joshua of the importance of allowing God to be the constant in the life of Israel. It seems that we should do the same.

Choosing to speak life is not always the easiest thing to do. In some instances, we may find that our voice is not heard or has even been marginalized. In our scripture this week, we will unpack a story in which voiceless servants are the ones that Speak Life. God uses these voices and their words to heal a person that you would not expect God to heal. 2 Kings 5:1-19 challenges all of the social norms about whether or not standing in society should limit your ability to speak or God’s ability to bring life.

Choosing to speak life is not always the easiest thing to do. In some instances, we may find that our voice is not heard or has even been marginalized. In our scripture this week, we will unpack a story in which voiceless servants are the ones that Speak Life. God uses these voices and their words to heal a person that you would not expect God to heal. 2 Kings 5:1-19 challenges all of the social norms about whether or not standing in society should limit your ability to speak or God’s ability to bring life.

There is nothing quite like the feeling you get when someone you respect sees greatness in you that you struggle to see in yourself. In week one of Speak Life, we take a look at one of Israel’s well-known Judges. In Judges 6, Gideon is described in a less than heroic way as hiding in a wine press, threshing wheat. The angel of the Lord calls to Gideon and addresses him as, “Mighty Warrior.” To be clear, there is nothing mighty about what Gideon is doing. This very fact tells us that God is trying to convey a greater message to us.

How does God view us? Do we all have sacred worth? Is Gideon an outlier or does he stand as an encouragement to all of us that God has placed greatness in each? These questions and many more will be considered as we explore God Speaking Life in the dark and lonely places of insecurity and self-doubt.